Without a care

If I could turn back time, if I could find a way, I would re-live last Sunday–it was that perfect.

Natasha and I had decided to play tourist and were off to Far Niente for a tour and taste. Have you been? As you head north on Hwy 29, about a quarter mile (or less) past Mustards, you’ll see a wooded knoll off to the left and a beautiful stone building with dormer windows and copper trim. That oasis is Far Niente.

The bulbs are in full bloom right know, and the grounds are lush and green and impeccably kept. Our host, Zach, regaled us with stories of the property’s past: how it lay fallow during prohibition and became a teen hangout. Gil Nickel rescued the property in 1979 and today it is evident that Far Niente is a special place, well-loved and cared for.

What can I say? The caves are incredible (40,000 square feet!), the car collection amazing and the wines delicious. Natasha and I each purchased the 2006 Chardonnay and 2008 En Route Pinot Noir. A note about the pinot: though En Route is a sister winery, the wine isn’t bottled at Far Niente–hence, you can’t taste it at Far Niente. However, you can order it by the glass at Mustards (and by the bottle at other fine restaurants), and so Natasha and I took leaps of faith and bought bottles and then swung by Mustards to see what we had gotten ourselves into.

We were not disappointed and, in fact, toasted our good sense in purchasing the Pinot. The restaurant was packed, by the way, and at the bar, everyone was talking about the USA/Canada hockey game. We sipped our Pinot Noir and ate a most delish calamari with curried slaw and Fresno chilis and decided that Canada must have one. (We were right.)

It doesn’t take much to have a great day in the Napa Valley (or–let’s face it–anywhere, if you have the right mindset): you just need sunshine, flowers, good wine and a good friend.